A petition fighting the 47ft mast, which would be near Greystone Community Primary School, has now been signed by around 200 people, while a similar campaign on social networking website Facebook has attracted 124 members.

Ripon City Council had originally made no objections to the scheme, but reversed its decision on Monday, saying it would lobby planners in an attempt to block the proposal.

Though Harrogate Borough Council will decide the fate of the application, the city council can register its opposition, which must be taken into account.

Council u-turn

Coun Peter Horton, chairman of the city council's planning committee, said concerns raised by governors at Greystone School and nearby residents had inspired this week's u-turn.

"This came about because school governors got in touch, concerned about health risks, and we had complaints from a number of constituents," he said.

"We decided to re-open the proposal and have a look at it, and we've revised the decision."

Move welcomed

The council's move has been welcomed by those opposing the erection of the mast.

Audrey Blackburn, chairman of governors at Greystone School, said she was relieved by the news.

"I'm highly delighted that they have changed their minds," she said.

"We are still working really hard to fight this application and the more backing we can get, the better for everybody."

'Support objections'

The initial decision by Ripon City Council to register no objections to the proposal, so long as it met guidelines for masts, was made by Coun Horton, chairman of the council's planning committee, along with two other councillors.

Last week he told the Gazette the three councillors could see no grounds to oppose the mast.

But on Monday, the city council's planning committee retracted its original decision, saying: "We fully support the objections of Greystones School governors, parents, teachers, and also residents in the area."

For the full story, see this Friday's Ripon Gazette.